September 20, 2018

Posted on September 19, 2018

This seems to be a Psalm for Old Age. It is nice to know that even though the Psalmist had aged his song remained the same in that he still trusts the Lord and extols his virtues. He didn’t grow old and bitter. He grew old and got better! That is the way I want to be > Older but better.

Psalm 71:1–3 (NLT) — 1 O Lord, I have come to you for protection; don’t let me be disgraced. 2 Save me and rescue me, for you do what is right. Turn your ear to listen to me, and set me free. 3 Be my rock of safety where I can always hide. Give the order to save me, for you are my rock and my fortress.

I know some older Christians who now need to physically lean on a cane or a walker to get around but like the psalmist spiritually they are still leaning heavily on the Lord. He is their rock.

Psalm 71:4–6 (NLT) — 4 My God, rescue me from the power of the wicked, from the clutches of cruel oppressors. 5 O Lord, you alone are my hope. I’ve trusted you, O Lord, from childhood. 6 Yes, you have been with me from birth; from my mother’s womb you have cared for me. No wonder I am always praising you!

It doesn’t matter how old you get the enemy will never leave you alone. There is no compassion for the elderly. God watched over us when we were young and he will continue to watch over us when we are old. There is no sense in “changing horses mid stream” as they say.

Psalm 71:7–11 (NLT) — 7 My life is an example to many, because you have been my strength and protection. 8 That is why I can never stop praising you; I declare your glory all day long. 9 And now, in my old age, don’t set me aside. Don’t abandon me when my strength is failing. 10 For my enemies are whispering against me. They are plotting together to kill me. 11 They say, “God has abandoned him. Let’s go and get him, for no one will help him now.”

There is an advantage of being an old Christian who is seasoned in the Word of God. No matter what the enemy or others might say we know the truth. We know that God will never abandon us (Hebrews 13:5) so we just continue to praise him despite of other might say.

Psalm 71:12–16 (NLT) — 12 O God, don’t stay away. My God, please hurry to help me. 13 Bring disgrace and destruction on my accusers. Humiliate and shame those who want to harm me. 14 But I will keep on hoping for your help; I will praise you more and more. 15 I will tell everyone about your righteousness. All day long I will proclaim your saving power, though I am not skilled with words. 16 I will praise your mighty deeds, O Sovereign Lord. I will tell everyone that you alone are just.

To us old people ‘hope’ is the assurance of coming good. That hope keeps us praising in the midst of difficult situations. That hope keeps us talking about our confidence in the Lord. We don’t have to be skilled with words to say, “Jesus has saved me and he will save you if you would just trust him”.

Psalm 71:17–18 (NLT) — 17 O God, you have taught me from my earliest childhood, and I constantly tell others about the wonderful things you do. 18 Now that I am old and gray, do not abandon me, O God. Let me proclaim your power to this new generation, your mighty miracles to all who come after me.

Growing old does not diminish our purpose in life. What is that purpose you ask? To tell others about Jesus. What greater miracle is there than the forgiveness of sins?

Psalm 71:19–21 (NLT) — 19 Your righteousness, O God, reaches to the highest heavens. You have done such wonderful things. Who can compare with you, O God? 20 You have allowed me to suffer much hardship, but you will restore me to life again and lift me up from the depths of the earth. 21 You will restore me to even greater honor and comfort me once again.

Us old people know that suffering is just part of life. We know that it is a test to see if we will remain faithful to the Lord. We have learned to welcome trouble as and old friend because we know this friend is here to help mature our faith and grow our endurance. We were able to grow old because of that endurance.(James 1:3-4).

Psalm 71:22–24 (NLT) — 22 Then I will praise you with music on the harp, because you are faithful to your promises, O my God. I will sing praises to you with a lyre, O Holy One of Israel. 23 I will shout for joy and sing your praises, for you have ransomed me. 24 I will tell about your righteous deeds all day long, for everyone who tried to hurt me has been shamed and humiliated.

With the Lord’s help we outlasted all that the enemy threw at us. He tried to destroy us using various tactics and people. However now that the dust has settled we look back with no regrets. We are still here praising the Lord with all the joy and gusto our old voices can muster! The smiles on our faces are so wide that they smooth out the wrinkles on our cheeks:)